Three-day weather outlook
Year: 2019
Jury: Kansas man guilty in sexual assault of woman he met online
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Reno County jury found a Kansas man guilty of aggravated criminal sodomy Wednesday but found 28-year-old Nathan Allen Crum was not guilty of rape.
Crum was accused of sexually assaulting the woman — whom he met online while they watched a movie at his home.
Crum admitted they had sex, but claims it was consensual. The sodomy incident occurred in August of 2018.
The female victim reported the alleged crime immediately and was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.
With the verdict, Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers set sentencing for Oct. 11. Crum has a prior felony conviction for attempted arson, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
USDA: Probe launched over beef pricing after fire at Kansas plant
“As part of our continued efforts to monitor the impact of the fire at the beef processing facility in Holcomb, Kan., I have directed USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division to launch an investigation into recent beef pricing margins to determine if there is any evidence of price manipulation, collusion, restrictions of competition or other unfair practices,” Perdue said in a statement..
If any unfair practices are detected, the department will take “quick enforcement action,” he added.
Industry experts say the price of live cattle has fallen since the fire, while wholesale beef prices have risen. The Holcomb plant processed about 6,000 cattle a day, about 6% of all the cattle processed in the United States.
Tyson officials have said a spark from welding during maintenance is the likely cause of a fire, which caused extensive damage. No one was injured. The fire damaged a small area but affected critical operating systems. The company has said it plans to reopen the facility .
The impact on retail beef prices for consumers since the Aug. 9 fire is not yet known because those figures are only reported monthly, said Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University.
In the days after the fire, fed cattle prices fell by $5 per hundredweight to about $105 per hundredweight, Tonsor said. That amounts to about $70 per head for a 1,400-pound animal.
At the same time, choice wholesale boxed beef was up $22 per hundredweight in the days following the fire. Those were the largest daily gains for wholesale meat prices on record since market reporting began in 2001, Tonsor said.
“The point is wholesale beef got more expensive and cattle got cheaper because of the event,” Tonsor said.
Prices for live cattle have recovered a bit in recent days, but have not returned to their levels before the fire.
“I can’t say if there was anything inappropriate occurring,” Tonsor said. “I just think in general what was observed in the reported markets is consistent with supply and demand factors we anticipated.”
The fire reduced the ability of the industry to kill and process cattle as normal. That came at a time when beef stocks — the amount of beef in freezers — was pretty low in July. Beef buyers were concerned about the low beef supplies at the same time the meat processing plant fire made it harder to produce wholesale beef, so they bid up what beef existed, Tonsor said.
“On balance, I think it is the markets were working … the supply and demand situation led to lower cattle prices and higher beef prices,” Tonsor said.
Tonsor also pointed to other factors— such as the volatile stock market in the last two or three weeks — which can indirectly affect cattle prices. If demand is expected to be weak, cattle are worth less, when demand is expected to be strong, cattle become worth more, he said.
At the Kansas Livestock Association, spokesman Todd Domer said its members are frustrated with what is going on in the marketplace. He said an investigation is “probably justified.”
“Our members would hope that not only they can do a thorough job in that investigation, but also a fairly quick job,” Domer said. “Do it expeditiously so that we don’t have this hanging over the market forever or for an extended period of time.”
NWS warns of 80 mph winds in Ellis County area
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for areas of Ellis, Trego, Rush and Ness counties until 10 p.m.
At 9:06 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located along a line from Codell to 8 miles north of Utica, moving north at 35 mph.
There is the risk of 80 mph wind gusts, as well as half-dollar size hail.
Flying debris is expected, as well as extensive tree damage and possible power outages.
“For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building,” the NWS said. “Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.”
Stay tuned to you Eagle Radio stations for the latest on severe weather.
Death row inmate from Kansas wants December execution delayed
KANSAS CITY (AP) — A federal death row inmate from Kansas who raped, killed and dismembered a 16-year-old girl and beat an 80-year-old woman to death wants the chance to present claims that his trial lawyer was ineffective.
Attorneys for Wesley Ira Purkey on Tuesday requested a stay of his execution, currently scheduled for Dec. 13.
Purkey is among five death-row inmates across the country set to be executed in the next five months. The executions, which the Justice Department announced in July, would be the first carried out by the federal government since 2003.
The defense argued that his trial lawyer failed to investigate his traumatic childhood, which included sexual abuse by alcoholic family members and a Catholic priest.
“Mr. Purkey is not ‘the worst of the worst,'” his attorney, Rebecca Woodman, said in a statement. “Had the jurors heard this information, at least one of them might have voted for a life sentence.”
Purkey, of Lansing, was sentenced to death for the 1998 killing of Jennifer Long after picking her up in Kansas City, Missouri. Purkey raped Long, stabbed her repeatedly and used a chainsaw to cut her body into pieces. He burned her remains in a fireplace and then dumped her ashes 200 miles away in a septic pond in Clearwater, southwest of Wichita.
Nine months later, Purkey was arrested in the killing of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales, of Kansas City, Kansas. He pleaded guilty to Bale’s murder and was handed a life sentence.
A federal jury in the Western District of Missouri found Purkey guilty in 2003 of kidnapping Long, resulting in her death. Prosecutors sought the death penalty. Purkey has remained at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Long’s mother, Glenda Lamont, has said she planned to attend the execution.
“I don’t want to say that I’m happy,” Lamont said in July. “At the same time, he is a crazy mad man that doesn’t deserve, in my opinion, to be breathing anymore.”
Purkey’s lawyers said they are also seeking clemency from President Donald Trump, urging him to commute Purkey’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They cited his dementia diagnosis and his remorse.
“He has not forgiven himself, and so he cannot ask for forgiveness from you or your office,” his attorneys wrote in his clemency petition. “He asks only for your intervention, which would simply permit him to die in prison, at this late stage of his life.”
Police: Pregnant Kan. woman hospitalized after home invasion shooting
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and working to find suspects.
Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police responded report of a shooting at a home in the 1600 Block of South Batten in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
At the scene, police located a 22-year-old woman who had been shot in the arm. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. She is pregnant and remains hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, according to Davidson.
Investigators learned several suspects forced their way into the residence where the victim and a 29-year-old man were located.
During the disturbance, a shot was fired striking the woman. The suspects then fled on foot. Those involved have not been cooperative with police and not shared details that could help with the investigation, according to Davidson.
It is not believed to be a random incident. Police ask that anyone with information on the case to contact them.
Kansas State Fair will feature several new food items
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Food is always a popular hit with the Kansas State Fair.
Visitors to this year’s fair will have some new items to try out including a new twist to Krispy Kreme pastries: the Krispy Kreme hotdog.
Just when you thought Carousel Cafe’s Krispy Kreme hamburger was quirky now comes the Krispy Kreme hot dog. The treat features a fresh jelly stuffed Krispy Kreme donut as the bun. It’s filled with an Angus beef hot dog topped with more jelly and finished off with thick Applewood smoked bacon.
Another food item with a local twist is the honey bun burger. It’s a beef patty from Yoder Meats which is sandwiched between two warm Honey Buns, then topped with fresh veggies, often served with a slice of melted cheese. To top it off, you can add Applewood smoked bacon or chocolate-covered bacon, which serves as the perfect complement to this sweet and salty burger. The Carousel cafe will also be serving this treat.
If you have a sweet tooth, a deep-fried bite-sized cheesecake may be your thing. The nuggets are then topped with powdered sugar and cherry drizzle. Brackett Concession’s cookie dough stand will be selling those.
Directions to any of these food items or other treats will be on the free state fair app.
Update: KBI identifies 2 dead at Salina home
SALINA —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has released the names of the two people who died as a result of the incident on Harold Avenue Wednesday morning.
Salina Police received a 9-1-1 call from a family member of a resident of 2092 Harold, according to KBI Communications Director Melissa Underwood. When officers arrived, they found what they believed to be blood on the porch of the home.
The officers made entry and as they were clearing the residence, they found a deceased female who Underwood identified as Linda Kromer, 71, who she said lived next door. Officers believed that Kromer had been stabbed to death, Underwood said.
As the officers continued clearing the residence, they heard noises coming from a room in the basement, Underwood said. Through a crack in a door, officers could see a man armed with a knife. They told the man to drop the knife and come out, at which time the man advanced on the officers and two officers fired, striking the man, Underwood said.
Underwood identified the man as 28-year-old Jeremy Connolly, who was Kromer’s grandson. Connolly was transported to Salina Regional Health Center, but died a short time later, Underwood said.
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SALINA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Salina.
Just after 11:30 Wednesday, police were dispatched to a call for service in the 2000 block of Harold Avenue in Salina, according to a media release.
The caller believed that an individual inside the home had been injured.
Upon arrival, officers located what appeared to be blood on the front portion of the residence. Officers entered the home in an effort to locate anyone in distress. Officers located a recently deceased female inside and immediately began securing the home for any other victim(s) or suspect(s).
Shortly thereafter, officers located a man in the basement of the home. This male was armed with a knife. After a brief confrontation, the man who was still armed with the knife, was shot by two Salina Police officers.
This man was transported to Salina Regional Hospital and he was pronounced dead at just before 1p.m., according to the release.
This officer-involved shooting and death investigation has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) who is presently on-scene.
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SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Salina police say an officer was involved in a fatal shooting at a home in west Salina.
Police Capt. Gary Hanus said that the confrontation began Wednesday morning when officers went to the home for a welfare check.
He says a person who was armed was shot by police during the incident.
Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said the suspect died after being taken to a hospital.
She said no officers were injured.
No further details were immediately available.
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By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Officer-Involved Shooting team is responding to a Wednesday morning incident in southwest Salina
Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Harold Avenue for a welfare check, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.
“During the welfare check, they came upon a person who was armed. There was an officer-involved shooting. Per department policy, we’ve contacted the KBI. They are responding with their OIS team and they are taking over the investigation,” Hanus said.
One person was transported to Salina Regional Health Center, Hanus said. He could not say whether that person was an officer.
Hanus said there is no public safety issue.
Two KBI agents were already on scene, he said. Any additional information about the incident will come from the KBI, according to Hanus.
Hays man sentenced to jail, probation in animal cruelty, DUI cases
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
A Hays man was sentenced to 30 days in jail and more than two years of probation after pleading guilty this week to animal cruelty and assault charges connected to three driving under the influence cases.
Tucker Rhoades, 20, was originally charged with three counts of driving under the influence, felony fleeing and eluding, failure to report an accident, and cruelty to animals.
As a result of the plea agreement in July, Rhoades pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and one count of animal cruelty.
Animal cruelty, an unclassified felony, carries a mandatory 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, a mandatory psychological evaluation and anger management.
Rhoades had already spent 22 days in jail and another 29 days in treatment and was given time served on Monday.
He was also sentenced to a total of 30 months of probation on the four charges.
Rhoades was sentenced Monday to 15 months of probation for the three misdemeanor DUIs and 12 months of probation for the felony cruelty to animals.
If he violates the terms of his probation, Rhoades could be sentenced to 27 months in the county jail.
He will also be ordered to pay $4,000 in fines.
According to court documents, on Nov. 19, 2017, Rhoades threw a kitten against the ceiling, a wall, a trash can, up in the air and finally against a stone wall, killing the animal.
Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said Rhoades was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Rhoades’ DUI arrests started when he was 16, with the latest arrest in September.
Martha Maxine Martin
Martha Maxine Martin, 98, passed away August 28, 2019 at Diversicare, Larned.
Born August 12, 1921 to Thomas Benton and Erma Konita Searcy Salmans on their farm; most of her childhood and teen years were spent on the farm.
She attended Zook Consolidated School from grades first through twelfth and was quite active in 4-H. At eighteen she was Pawnee County Health Champion and was awareded a trip to the American Royal in Kansas City as a 4-H delegate. She was very proud of this award and met her future husband at the Pawnee County 4-H fair that year.
Later, she worked at the Larned High School as the superintendent’s secretary from 1950-1956. In 1956 she went to work at Larned State Hospital as a reimbursement officer until her retirement in 1985. She was a member of Easter Star, and swerved as Worthy Matron in 1978. She was active in her pursuit of her family genealogy and was a member, and one time secretary, of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a member of the Episcopal Church, Larned, and served a number of years as church treasurer.
On August 27, 1941 she married George Earl Martin at Iuka. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1972.
Survived by a son, Robert “Bob” (Janet) Martin, Prairie Village; six grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and close friend, Dolores Wren
Preceded in death by; her parents; husband; two sons, George Dennis Martin, Thomas Leslie Martin; three brothers, Lawrence Salmans, Kenneth Salmans, Robert (Bob) Salmans; four sisters, Lois Ellis, Helen Vratil, Clara Thorpe, Dorothy Mead-Schmidt.
Funeral service 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned with Father Mark Cowell presiding. Visitation 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Interment in Larned Cemetery, Larned.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Larned EMS or Pawnee County Humane Society in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.
Dianna Lee (Martin) Gammel
July 22, 1942 ~ August 27, 2019
An obituary and services are pending at Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland.
Tanner Ray Bussen
November 11, 1979 ~ August 24, 2019
An obituary and services are pending at Bateman Funeral Home, Goodland.
Allene Marie Hogan
Allene Marie Hogan, 93, died August 27, 2019, at Ave Maria Village, Jamestown, North Dakota. She was born June 20, 1926, on the family farm north of Bushton, Kansas, the daughter of George and Hanna (Schlessiger) Heiken. Allene graduated from Holyrood High School in 1944.
Allene was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She enjoyed family, cooking, church activities, canning, and square dancing.
On January 24, 1945, she married LeRoy Hogan at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holyrood.
She is survived by her husband of 74 years, LeRoy Hogan; and their three sons, D.A. Hogan and friend Kim of Tarkio, Missouri, David Hogan and wife Barb of Jamestown, North Dakota, Dan Hogan and wife Toni of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; a brother, Edward Heiken and wife Margie of Blaine, Washington; sister-in-law, Mary Heiken of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Shelly, Tom, Patrick, Collin, Linda, and Sean Hogan; and three great grandchildren, Ruby, Flint, and Rose.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Harvey Heiken, a sister, Betty Rose Shuler, and brother-in-law, Gilbert Shuler.
Vigil and Rosary will be 7 p.m., Friday, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holyrood. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park, rural Great Bend, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to the Ave Maria Village or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas, 67544.